Medal to mark 100 years of Gandhi's journey from Africa to India

Kolkata: Commemorating the completion of 100 years of Gandhi's historic journey from South Africa to India to take part in India's freedom struggle, a numismatic dealer here has come up with a limited edition of medal showing route followed by him in 1914.

To be made available from Thursday on the occasion of Gandhi's birthday, the 'Route to India' medal shows the route followed by him in 1914 on a world map with coloured pictures of young and old Gandhi in sepia tones.

The reverse of the medal has date-wise movements of Gandhi with details of ships he had used inscribed along with one of his famous quotes and his signature, said numismatic dealer Alok Goyal who has brought out these medals.

After a successful campaign against racism in South Africa, Gandhi left the country on July 14, 1914 to come back to India to help the freedom fighting movement.

Made of base metal and plated with silver, the medals in an air-tight acrylic capsule are a limited edition of only 500 pieces.

Goyal, who runs coins-n-coins.com, said the medal is the first one in the series of 33 medals planned to mark various events related to Gandhi and his association with eminent people like Rabindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others.

"By collecting these medals, one will have details of Gandhi's life during the 33 years of his struggle for freedom," he added.